What makes it seem more real is that Angels hitting coach Mickey Hatcher backs him up on this. Hatcher says Abreu really is swinging the bat well, and he remembers the day when his aging slugger started turning it around. It was a week or 10 days ago, Hatcher says: He took Abreu to a separate patch of grass at Tempe Diablo Stadium, and someone threw batting practice to him.

"Something clicked with him, and he's been taking it into games," Hatcher said in the Angels' clubhouse before Tuesday night's game at Dodger Stadium, the second of three preseason Freeway Series games. It's like the old Bobby."

Manager Mike Scioscia pointed to last Saturday's 9-2 win over the Arizona Diamondbacks, in which Abreu started in left field, batted sixth and went 2-for-3 with a pair of RBI -- bringing his season total to three. He went 0-for-3 in an 8-1 loss to the Cubs on Sunday; in Monday's Freeway Series opener, he went 0-for-2 but drew two walks in a 12-3 rout of the Dodgers. "I think he's feeling more confident," Scioscia said. "Hopefully he's going to carry it into the season."

Abreu went 1-for-3 with a walk in Tuesday night's 4-1 loss to the Dodgers.

Less than a week ago, the Angels were rumored to be on the verge of trading Abreu and his $9 million salary to Cleveland. But a deal never materialized, and now it seems Abreu will be on the Angels' roster after all, getting time in the outfield and at DH.

Abreu acknowledged that this spring has been very different from his previous 15, when he knew he would be playing every day. In his career he has 2,384 hits and 1,325 RBI but now must accept being a role player.

User Agreement

Keep it civil and stay on topic. No profanity, vulgarity, racial
slurs or personal attacks. People who harass others or joke about
tragedies will be blocked. By posting your comment, you agree to
allow Orange County Register Communications, Inc. the right to
republish your name and comment in additional Register publications
without any notification or payment.